Not all people are comfortable as the gender into which they are born. With today's modern technology and more forward thinking, it has become much easier for people uncomfortable with their gender to change it, with females becoming male and vice versa. This page will provide information on how to get a sex change.

Deciding to have a sex change procedure is a difficult decision that needs an immense amount of consideration prior to its undertaking. Changing your sex is life-altering in a way few other choices are. It is very important to know what you are deciding to do as well as exactly what is involved in getting a sex change. The following steps will walk you through the process of how to get a sex change.

Because a sex change is such a major life change, there are certain things you have to do before you can be considered for a surgical procedure. Standards for what efforts need to be made are set down in The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association's Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders (HBIGDASCGID), first written in 1979 and revised in 1998. This document suggests a variety of things you should do if you are interested in having a sex change.

1. Begin dressing as the sex with which you most identify and which to become.
2. Become involved in activities generally associated with the sex you are wanting to change into.
3. Learn about the transgender community—look for support groups in your area, talk to other people who have had sex change procedures.
4. Make minor body and appearance modifications via hormones and/or minor plastic surgery procedures.
5. Understand that your gender is separate from your sexual orientation and that changing your sex will not affect whether you are attracted to men or women.http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/sexchange/sexchange2.html

In addition, there are several requirements that must be met in order to begin hormone treatment or anything more extensive.

1. You must be over 18.
2. You must understand the medical and social implications, risks and benefits of taking hormones long-term.
3. You must either live as the other sex for at least three months, or undergo at least three months of therapy.
4. You must have resolved or be in the process of resolving any other issues that might be impacting your mental health, including alcohol and/or drug abuse.http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/sexchange/sexchange3.html

After you have been on hormones and living as the opposite sex for at least 12 months as well as seeing a therapist as recommended by your primary physician, you will be eligible to seek reassignment surgery.

1. A sex change procedure is not cheap. They can run anywhere from $3,000 to $100,000 depending on the surgeon, the complexity and the number of procedures.
2. Most sex change procedures are not covered by health insurance.
3. If you are willing to, you can look online for clinics outside of the United States that might perform the surgery or surgeries at a less expensive rate. Just be sure to verify the clinic's qualifications and prior procedures.http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/sexchange/sexchange4.html

Having surgery is not the end of the sex change process. Once you have had all of the procedures necessary to change your sex, you must begin life in your new gender. Oftentimes this means explaining your choice to your friends and family as well as dealing with what can sometimes be blunt and insensitive questions from people you may or may not know. Recognize, however, that your rights have not changed, as someone who has undergone a sex change, you are entitled to protection from discrimination.http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/sexchange/sexchange5.html

Perhaps most importantly, enjoy living as the gender to which you truly belong, comfortable in your body at last.